Children's Minister ~ Linda VanTassel
Joined First Congregational Church Staff:
- June of 2000.
Prior Experience:
- Director of Christian Education at the Bethel united Methodist Church in Bethel, Connecticut.
- Director of Christian Education at the First United Methodist Church in Warren, Pennsylvania.
- Adjunct Instructor in the Master of Arts Program at the University of New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut.
- Language Arts Specialist for Newtown High School, Newtown, Connecticut.
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion with emphasis on Christian Education from Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio.
- Master of Arts in Philosophy and Education from the University of Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska.
Personal Background:
- Married to husband Michael who is also a member of this congregation and who sings in the choir.
- Mother of two daughters, Leslie and Kaylin
- Grandmother of Leah, age 4, who enjoys all her church school friends at First Congregational
My Journey:
My faith walk begins when I was born into a home of two very dedicated Christians. Both my parents lived their Christian beliefs. My mom was the youth director for our Methodist Church and my dad taught the senior high class and later in life, several adult classes. Serving on boards and committees was a given for them as was tithing and family worship. Their goal was to have a Christian home and they guided and encouraged my sister and me at the start of each day to walk with Christ.
As a teenager I dedicated myself to serving God. I was president of our local, district, and conference youth programs and participated regularly in the Sunday morning worship services. I thrived on the idea of bringing others to Christ. I spent each summer at our church conference mountain top camp where I promised God I would serve Him always. At Baldwin-Wallace College I majored in Religion and Christian Education and also carried a major in English. Living my faith daily was my personal challenge.
After college I accepted a Director of Christian Education position in Warren, Pennsylvania. I was on my way!! I continued to serve the Lord in Anchorage, Erie, Philadelphia, Bethel, CT. and now Ridgefield. As Children's Minister I am able to plan, develop, and implement the Christian education programs for the children of our church. Recruiting staff , providing for their spiritual growth, supporting, and training are also areas where I have the opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ.
When I joined this church, I was given a watchword which I keep on my desk. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve this church. " Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." John 1:17a